Flamenco virtuoso bound for Creekside

For those who believe everything that is printed in a magazine Lake Country is in for a musical treat on November 8 when Juan Martin and his entourage arrive at the Creekside Theatre for a performance.

For those who believe everything that is printed in a magazine Lake Country is in for a musical treat on November 8 when Juan Martin and his entourage arrive at the Creekside Theatre for a performance. Martin has been credited with his flamenco style in Guitar Player Magazine as being one of the top 3 guitar players in the world.

But Martin isn’t one to believe everything he reads.

“There are a lot of good guitarists but you need to keep your feet on the ground,” chuckles Martin when asked about the accolade. “I suppose I have a distinctive compositional voice that people recognize when they listen to one of my pieces. It’s the melodies, the tone and feel and the continual flow of notes that characterizes my playing.”

The flamenco style of guitar that Martin is known for is famous for its complicated use of right hand techniques to pick out individual notes rather than strumming on chords. He plays in scales with an instinctively Spanish sound transports audiences to the café-lined cobblestone streets of Seville.

Though it would be easy for Martin to focus his performance at the Creekside around his guitar, he says flamenco music demands a different approach. He says the role of the guitarist is to follow the dancers’ feet.

With that in mind he’s bringing with him two dancers as well as a singer, woodwind player and percussionist to round out the ensemble.

“I’m trying to bring a chance for people to see a real flamenco show with all of the emotions,” says Martin.